'Twas the Night Before Rose Bowl

—By Kevin Fuller (with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore)—

’Twas the night before Rose Bowl, when all through the dorm,
Not a person was resting, anxious to perform.
The discs were all prepped to throw far, straight, and with Zs,
In hopes that their flights would be far and catch breeze.

A few players passed out somewhere near their beds,
While visions of hein shredding danced in their heads.
The tournament director, surveying the scene,
Knows starting on time will involve lots of caffeine.

When out on the field there arose such a clatter,
I rose from deep sleep to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, I moved oh so swift,
Cranked open the casement and shades I did lift.

The moon shone brightly lighting the lot below,
Gave a shine to the vans like phosphorus glow.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a Datsun B210, eight more players, top tier.

With a tall lanky driver, moves he did uncork,
I knew in a moment it must be the Stork.
More rapid than guts throws, instructions they came,
And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Victor! now, Cahow! now, Koger and TK!
On Youngman! on, Johnson! on, Lou and JK!
To the disc golf first tee, to the distance throw line,
Then DDC and freestyle teams do combine.”

“There’s no time to sleep, I do hereby decree,
Who’s best at playing Gollum we all must see.”
The players faced off with no spin on their throws,
Catching fickle flights the challenge, everyone knows.

When competition starts, disc golfers throw far,
What really will matter is who’s most under par.
Hyzer bombs oh so pretty, but those who will strut,
The throwers who always hit their fifty foot putt.

In the Rose Bowl the discs will fly up and away,
Who will clock the longest time in MTA?
One more event throwing the Fastback Frisbee,
Huck, sprint, and one-hand it for lengthy TRC.

The accuracy winner, who will be deserved?
Who hoops it the most, with each throw straight and curved.
The big arms line up with one goal—to throw far,
After all throws measured, crown a new distance tsar.

Stork quizzes staff and players. Who’s a flying disc geek?
The prize for right answers, discs with stamps each unique.
Other discs changed hands daily, a constant fly-mart,
Score a rare Pluto Platter with bargaining art.

DDC is strategic, two discs hold your fate,
To succeed in this game, teams must communicate.
Freestyle’s a fan favorite, trick catches and throws,
Westerfield and Kenner, Z, g, and V-Bros.

Play your best and avoid throwing disaster,
Earn the coveted rating, World Class Frisbee Master.
Win it all and the players are World Frisbee Champs,
And their names will adorn the next WC stamps.

Crammed back in his Datsun, gave the disc crew a nod,
Beloved by all throwers, each player did applaud.
But I heard Stork exclaim, ere the battle begins,
“Happy Rose Bowl to all, but it’s most fun that wins!”

Merry ChristmasEveryone at the Flying Disc Museum wishes you all a happy holidays, a merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a joyous Kwanzaa, a blessed Ramadan, a fabulous Festivus (air any grievances in the comments area), and a happy New Year. Thanks to all our contributors, authors, donators, Facebook members, and FDM visitors. 2022 will usher in more photos, more blog articles, more of everything flying disc. Please have a happy and healthy holiday and let's all have an awesome New Year! – FDM Staff

About the Author:
Kevin Fuller

Kevin Fuller is one of the founders of the Flying Disc Museum and a mediocre disc player. Once upon a time he was decent, played ultimate at UNH in the '70s and then with Boston Aerodisc in the '80s. He competed in and helped organize local overall tournaments and was TD for the 1978 and 1979 NH States and the 1978 MA States.
KF by the numbers: IFA #75351, UPA #3781, PDGA #628, FPA #184, FDCA #58